§ 55. Mr. Garry Allighanasked the Minister of Food in view of the necessity for cutting the total sweet consumption by 50 per cent., what were his reasons for spreading this over all consumers instead of making a 100 per cent. cut. on all adults' and no cut at all on children's rations.
§ Dr. SummerskillI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North Bradford (Mrs. Nichol) on 3rd March of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. WalkdenWill the hon. Lady dismiss the whole idea altogether? Shall we prohibit kindliness in adults, who often distribute most of their sweet ration to children, on the ground of coal shortage?
§ Dr. Barnett StrossIs the hon. Lady not aware that there is far less harm done to adults, particularly where they have artificial teeth, in consuming the sweet ration than there is to children?
§ Mr. EdenCan the hon. Lady give us any indication when this cut will be restored; or, alternatively, when the sugar ration will be increased to compensate for the cut?
§ Dr. SummerskillI think I made it quite clear to the right hon. Gentleman in my statement that the cut would only cover about two months—[Horn. MEMBERS: "Two months?"] We hope 482 that we shall be able perhaps to give sugar in lieu if our stocks are sufficient in a few months' time.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonCan the hon. Lady solve the problem she failed to solve the other day—is it her opinion that the cut is due to a shortage of sugar or to a shortage of coal and power? She did not answer that.
§ Dr. SummerskillI made it quite clear that the cut was due to the shortage of fuel.